Revamping the UNFCCC Process, let's discover additional details!

It is the essential international agreement that directs worldwide initiatives to address climate change.

Adopted in 1992 at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, it has since served as the foundation of climate diplomacy, influencing accords such as the Kyoto Protocol and the Paris Agreement.

Organizational Structure

Conference of the Parties (COP): The highest decision-making entity that convenes each year to evaluate advancements and discuss new agreements.

Subsidiary Groups:

Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice (SBSTA): Offers guidance on scientific and technological matters.

Subsidiary Body for Implementation (SBI): Aids execution and assesses country reports.

Secretariat: Aids in negotiations, assists in execution, and ensures transparency via data and reporting mechanisms.

Key Milestones of the UNFCCC Process

Protocol and Execution:

1997: Adoption of the Kyoto Protocol — initial legally binding targets for emission reductions.

2005: Kyoto Protocol takes effect

2012: Doha Amendment approved, prolonging Kyoto commitments.

Accord de Paris :

2015: COP21 adopts the Paris Agreement — seeks to restrict global temperature rise to significantly under 2°C.

2023: Initial Global Assessment – Initial thorough evaluation of climate advancement

What Makes UNFCCC Reform Essential?

Stagnant Advancement: Even after many years of discussions, worldwide emissions keep increasing, and pledges for climate financing are still unfulfilled.

Consensus Paralysis: The UNFCCC’s decision-making process, based on consensus, grants every nation veto authority, frequently weakening results and postponing action.

Departure of Key Figures: The recent withdrawal of the United States under President Trump has diminished confidence in the process.

Climate Finance Obstacle:

Current Goal: $100 billion each year—significantly lower than the projected $1.3 trillion required.

New Commitment: Wealthy nations proposed $300 billion annually from 2035, a figure many consider inadequate.

Suggested Changes to UNFCCC

During the Bonn Climate Conference (June 2025):

Agenda Streamlining: Remove duplicate or similar items to concentrate on key issues.

Team Size Restrictions: Decrease delegation numbers to enhance productivity.

Time Management: Limit the length of statements to provide additional time for negotiations.

Through Civil Society Organizations:

Majority Voting: Utilize majority voting in place of consensus when reaching agreement is challenging.

COP Host Standards: Exclude nations with inadequate climate performance from hosting COP summits.

Impact of Fossil Fuels: Restrict involvement of polluting sectors in discussions.

Heightened Clarity: Making certain that climate-related choices are made openly and are open to external evaluation.

Enhanced Accountability Measures: Ensuring nations are responsible for unfulfilled pledges.

Trust Building: Released a letter encouraging parties to contemplate the future of the UNFCCC process.

Multilateral Cooperation: Suggested incorporating climate initiatives among UN organizations and financial institutions.

30-Point Plan: Highlighted essential aspects for speeding up climate initiatives.

BRICS' Appeal for Climate Justice: During a recent summit in Brazil, BRICS issued a united statement regarding climate finance. The declaration emphasized the request for:

Complete fulfillment of current climate finance pledges by developed countries.

A considerable boost in adaptation funding, which continues to be markedly lacking in comparison to mitigation initiatives.